Songs of Comfort 



BY 
ANNIE L FISHEK 



Published by 

Lincoln £r Smith Press 

Boston, 1910 



Copyright 19X0 
By^ Annie L. Fisher 






CCLA 278257 



CONTENTS 



Afterglow ...... 


1 


Assurance ...... 


2 


An Evening Thought 


3 


Thy Will Be Done .... 


4 


The Beautiful Land of Peace . 


5 


In His Name ..... 


6 


My Duty ...... 


7 


Our Supply ..... 


8 


An Awakening ..... 


9 


As One Whom His Mother Comforteth 


10 


A Cradle Song ..... 


11 


To - Day ...... 


12 


Protection ...... 


13 


Brotherhood ..... 


14 


An Offering 


15 


Sunshine ...... 


16 


Stay In Your Heaven . . . , 


. 17-18 



Behold, ail the land is before thee : 
whither it seemeth good and convenient 
for thee to go, thither go. 

— Jeremiah 40 : 4. 



50NG5 OF COMFORT [1] 



AFTERGLOW 

There is nothing but love in my heart to-night — 

Nothing but love and peace, 
For a sense of God's goodness has touched my 
thought, 

Bidding its discords cease, 
And as one who drinks a refreshing draught 

From the spring on the mountain side, 
I have quenched my thirst at this open fount, 

And at last I am satisfied. 



I have climbed but a very little way. 

Yet the outlook is grand and true, — 
E'en the clouds that surround me are full of light, 

And the glory is breaking through, 
1 do not expect they will disappear 

Till I stand on the sun-kissed height 
Where the dear one stands, who has shown the way 

Wherein I rejoice to-night. 

Oh! Loving Spirit, abide Avith me! 

Make me loving and kind, I pray. 
To comfort the hearts who have need of love, 

And who famish beside the way. 
May I lay on the altar of Love Divine 

My all, and in serving thee. 
Find the only thing that can satisfy 

For time and eternity. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [2] 



ASSURANCE 

I know not how the spring transforms the earth; 
Clothes with fresh green the fieUls so brown and 

sear. 
And yet with joy I see this wonder wrought 
Year after year. 

I know not how the Hlies know the hour 
To Hft their heads and greet the morning sun. 
And yet 1 know their petals do unfold 
At earlv dawn. 

I know not how, but when the Father's love 
Unto a human heart has been revealed, 
That heart grows Christ-like, meek, forgiving, 
pure — 

The sick are healed. 

But this I know! that this indwelling love 
Will all our limitations put aside. 
Till through its action we shall see on earth 
God glorified. 

And in proportion as our daily life 
Finds its adjustment to the Father's plan. 
We shall be channels whence the healing love 
Shall flow to man. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [3] 



AN EVENING THOUGHT 

Oft at the close of the busy day 
When I see its duties all complete, 

I love to turn from its cares aside 
And rest awhile at the Master's fet^t. 

I love to remember He is my God, 

Not a far-off name full of awe and fear, 

But a living presence which fills my heart, 
And a powerful friend, who is ever near. 

I love to remember His tender care, 

Planning each step that my feet have trod. 

Out of the darkness of error's night 
Into the light of the sons of God. 

'Tis sweet to remember I am His child. 
In His image and likeness, pure and free, 

Not created to suffer, and sin, and die, 
But to live and rejoice through eternity. 

I know if I fill my thought with Truth 

There will be no room for doubt and fear; 

If I faithfully do my part each day 

1 am helping to bring His kingdom near. 

Then with grateful thanks for the lessons learned- 
So needful and helpful — every one, 

I can take up, with courage, my work again 
And know all is well when God's 'will is done. 



50NG5 OF COMFORT [4] 



THY WILL BE DONE 

Love walks beside us every hour; 

We never are alone. 
Left to ourselves our feet would stray 

Into the paths unknown. 
But Love will lead us all the way 
If we will follow and obev. 

How often when some cherished wish 

By wisdom was denied, 
We, in our wilfulness, have mourned 

And were not satisfied. 
But when the Horeb heights we gained 
Love's wise withholding was explained. 

Or when perchance our stub])orn will 

Accomplished what it planned. 
When what we thought earth's fairest flowers 

Were ashes in our hand. 
We learned, when forced to drink the gall, 
Love's way was better after all. 

'Tis not blind fate which marks our path. 

But Love's unerring hand 
Which brings us, oft by unsought ways. 

Into the dear home land. 
Through pastures green; o'er hillsides bare; 
Love guides our footsteps everywhere. 



50NG5 OF COMFORT [5] 



THE BEAUTIFUL LAND OF PEACE 

There's a beautiful land of rest and peace 

Which lies very near to us all. 
We have felt its charm. When our thought was 
still 

We have heard its voices call, — 
They joined in the song when our hearts rejoiced ; 

They cheered in the hours of pain ; 
And oft in the midst of our busy days 

W^e have heard the sweet refrain : 

Open your eyes to the good at hand! 

Learn to be always glad. 
God gave us joy when He gave us life — 

Oh, why should our hearts be sad ? 

We need not climb to the vaulted skies 

The kingdom of God to seek. 
For the King of Love has His throne to-day 

In the lives of the pure and meek. 
x\nd every life by His spirit ruled 

Is known by its daily deeds — 
A love so pure it will heal and bless, 

x\nd a faith that kno\^ s naught of creeds. 

Oh, tired heart! Oh, sorrowing one! 

(.'ome, dwell in this land of peace! 
Wliere burdens fall, and where tears are dried, 

And where strife and discords cease. 
The perfect God and the perfect man 

Dwell not in earth's fleeting dream, 
For the real man is the child of God, 

Untouched by the things that seem. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [6] 



IN HIS NAME 

" Look up and not clown" as the days go by. 
Look up to the stars and the bright, blue sky. 
Let a smile and a kind word displace the frown. 
Don't go through the world with your heart 
bowed down. 

"Look out and not in," for this world of ours 
Will have never a thorn when all scatter flowers. 
When in others' welfare a joy we know 
We shall carry the sunshine where'er we go. 

"Look forward not back." The present alone 
Is the only moment that we can own, 
For the past is gone with its tear or song. 
And the future days unto God belong. 

"And lend a hand" to the ones in need. 
Our love for the Master is shown in deed, 
And a cup of cold water in His name given 
Shall bring a reward in the coin of Heaven. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [7] 



MY DUTY 

'Tis not my task to feed the fowls of heaven; 

Nor clothe the lilies in their garments white; 
Nor paint the rainbow in the clouds at even; 

Nor deck the meadows with their blossoms bright. 

'Tis not my task to criticise my brother, 
And watch his progress with a jealous eye; 

To envy the possessions of another. 

And let my flowers of promise droop and die. 

My duty is to live that each to-morrow 

Shall find me farther on my heavenly road; 

To cheer and bless some fellow-man in sorrow; 
To help some weary brother bear his load; 

To do each day that duty which lies nearest. 
Whether the work to do be great or small, 

Making that deed which blesses someone dearest, 
Because God sees, and knows, and loves us all. 

'Tis mine to know the Father is beside me ; 

To feel His loving touch and hear His voice; 
'Tis mine to heed the Wisdom that would guide me. 

And ever in His presence to rejoice. 

Thus, only, can 1 live the life of Heaven; 

Thus find my place within the plan divine. 
By living love, as love to me is given. 

And letting Heaven's radiance through me shine. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [8] 



OUR SUPPLY 

Love Divine, that knows no measure; 

Dearest prize that life has known ! 
Rich indeed is our condition 

When this priceless pearl we own. 

When the clouds are dark above us, 
And we see not how to go; 

When the changing winds of error 
Try to drive us to and fro; 

If we listen for the Master, 

And with patience learn His will, 

He will still the noise and tumult 
With His gentle, "Peace be still." 

Are we hungry ? He will feed us 
With His manna from above, 

And a table spread before us 
In His house of boundless love. 

Are we weary ? He is with us. 
And our strength He will supply; 

Though His rod and staff now chasten 
They will comfort by and by. 

Sick, and poor, and lone, and wretched 

Our condition cannot be, 
For the Master walks beside us, 

As He walked in Galilee. 

In His perfect love and wisdom 
He controls life's least event. 

So within His habitation 

Let us dwell, and be content. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [9] 



AN AWAKENING 

Father, Thou source of life and joy, 

How near Thou art! 
Thy presence, with its peace, enfolds 

My waiting heart. 

Thy love my strength and comfort is — 

My refuge sweet; 
Within that love I wake and find 

A life complete. 

Thou hast the words of endless life 

Which bless and heal; 
Thou canst the clouds of sense dispel 

And Soul reveal. 

Death never can the truth unfold 

Nor set me free, 
My only hope of freedom lies 

In knowing Thee. 

Then may I humbly, lovingly 

Learn to obey 
That one whose life of sacrifice 

Has shown the w^ay. 

And when this human heart of mine 

Cries "Earth is drear!" 
Grant me that child-like trust which knows 

That Thou art near. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [10] 



AS ONE WHOM HIS MOTHER 
COMFORTETH 

As her child the mother comforts. 
Dries his tears upon her breast. 

So our Heavenly Father comforts, 
Soothes the heart and gives it rest. 

There can be no empty future! 

Love hath every moment filled! 
Jesus proved this ever-presence — 

Walked the wave; the tempest stilled. 

Love Divine, v^hich through the ages 
Hath supplied His children's needs, 

Still supplies sweet consolation. 

And the heart's great hunger feeds. 

That same love which guards the sparrow 

Surely will protect His own. 
And will fill the heart with gladness, 

When, to sense, we walk alone. 

For the Heavenly Father loveth 
With a love beyond man's ken. 

By His love our lives are governed 

And He knows no "might have been." 



SONGS OF COMFORT [11] 



A CRADLE SONG 

Little one, day is done. 

Birdies have ceased to sing. 
Each in his nest in the leafy tree 

Hides his head under his wing. 

Stars appear bright and clear. 

Like little lamps of love, 
Bidding us turn from the darkness of earth 

Up to the lights above. 

Baby mine, Love Divine 

Fatherly watch will keep, 
Guarding us safely from every harm 

Whether we wake or sleep. 

When at last night is past 

Shadows will melt away. 
So shall we lose in a morn without clouds 

All of earth's shadows gray. 



50NG5 OF COMFORT [12] 



TO-DAY 

Love has prepared for thee 

All that is best. 
Patiently, trustingly, 

In this thought rest. 

Thou canst not lose thine own- 
God's gifts to thee, 

Through all eternity 
Thine own shall be. 

Struggles and trials are 

But for a day, 
Soon will triumphant Truth 

Sweep them away. 

God's own ideas will 

Ever abide, 
Till we awake transformed, 

Blessed, satisfied. 

Then, why the past regret ? 

The future fear.^ 
Since God's own time is now 

All good is here. 

Love has in store for thee 

All that is best. 
Faithfully do thy part 

And in Love rest. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [13] 



PROTECTION 

There shall no evil befall thee," 

Is the blessed assurance of Him 
Whose love watcheth over His children; — 

Whose vision can never grow dim. 
Can the God who hath formed thee forget thee ? 

Can He fail to protect and defend ? 
In His word He has given the promise, 

"I will be with thee unto the end." 

He will hide thee within His pavilion 

From the strife of ambition and pride. 
Though the young lions lack and know hunger, 

God's children in plenty abide. 
"No plague shall come nigh thy dwelling," 

Habitation in God thou hast made, 
And what can molest the Almighty ? 

Or make His dear children afraid.^ 

Then fear not, oh my soul, though against thee 

Be gathered the forces of sin ! 
God's Truth is thy shield and thy buckler, 

His might shall the victory win. 
And from all that would touch thee, to harm thee, 

Thou art kept by an Unseen Hand, 
While the pillars of cloud and of fire 

Lead the way to the Promised Land. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [14] 



BROTHERHOOD 

All men are brothers, and God is their father; 

He made the earth, with its fullness, for all. 
In His pure sight only meekness is mighty; 

Beyond His care not a sparrow can fall. 

His is the gold; His is also the silver; 

His are the flocks on a thousand green hills. 
From the grand orb-of-day to the spring by the 
wayside — 

All is His own; each His purpose fulfills. 

Man gains no riches by robbing his brother; 

Nor grows he poor when supplying his need. 
Each can enjoy but the portion God gives him; 

None may increase it by scheming and greed. 

Why should we strive for the wealth that must 
perish ? 

Why freeze our hearts for the hard, yellow gold ? 
Gold never purchased one smile of affection. 

Nor could it kindle a friendship grown cold. 

Love is God's coin, with His image upon it. 

"In God we trust" is its motto and sign. 
This is the coin which is current forever, 

Made in the mint of a nature divine. 

Then, brother man, seek love to your brother! 

Cease from this warfare, this hatred and strife! 
Be not content with earth's common self-seeking! 

Rise in the strength of a Love-governed life. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [15] 



AN OFFERING 

Upon Thine altar, Lord of Love, 
Humbly 1 lay my human will. 

Thou only canst my path direct. 
And Thou alone my longing still. 

Through all the changes of the past 
Thy care hath every good bestowed. 

Thy presence sweetened every joy. 
And lightened every wearv load. 

For all Thy loving kindness, Lord, 
What worthy thing have I to give ? 

But love to all Thy children dear 
And daily gratitude to live. 

Grant only this, — ^that I may see 
The Saviour's footsteps in the way. 

Then be the pathway rough or smooth 
Gladly I'll follow and obey. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [16] 



SUNSHINE 

The day is bright and warm and cheery; 

The birds in their singing are never weary ; 
The buds burst forth on the apple trees; 

Tlie fragrance of springtime is on the breeze; 
And the day is bright and cheery. 

My heart is light and glad and cheery; 

The love of my Father is never weary; 
His presence makes all my burdens light; 

With His bow of promise the sky is bright, 
And my heart is light and cheery. 

Look up, dear friend, with a sweet confiding, 
In the garner of Love is thy wealth, abiding. 

Contentment is Heaven's best gift to all. 
Into each day some blessings fall — 
Some cause to be glad and cheery. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [17] 



STAY IN YOUR HEAVEN 

Stay in your heaven! Don't venture abroad 
In the highways and byways to roam, 

But in the sweet presence of thoughts that are true 
Let your heart find its shelter and home. 

The highways and byways are filled with a throng 

Of thoughts that can never be still, 
And like a brown leaf in the October gale 

They will bear you away at their will. 

They will make all the good that is yours seem so 
small 
It is scarce worth a thought to retain. 
While the false, fleeting joys they uphold to your 
view 
You would labor in tears to obtain, 

And when once you are out of your heaven of peace 
They will rob you of all that is fair; 

They promise you freedom to do as you please. 
And, instead, give you labor and care. 

But in the sweet presence of thoughts that are true 
There is strength for the work of the day ; 

They fold their white wings round the world-weary 
heart 
And take all its burdens away. 



SONGS OF COMFORT [18] 



STAY IN YOUR HEAVEN 

CONTINUED 

Sweet flowers of gratitude bloom by the path 
From the ashes of hopes that were dear, 

While a calm, loving trust in the goodness of God 
Takes the place of your doubt and your fear. 

The thoughts which flow out from this quiet abode 

Are mighty to bless and to heal ; 
For only the thoughts that in heaven abide 

Can the blessings of heaven reveal. 

Then stay in your heaven! Don't venture abroad 
In the highways and byways to roam, 

But in the sweet presence of thoughts that are true 
Let your heart find its heaven and home. 



D^C !■-« 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



W%\J 



^' '•:% 




